MAN WHO WAS CONVICTED OF A BUTLER COUNTY BURGLARY PARDONED BY GOVERNOR NIXON

A man who was convicted for a burglary in Butler County has been pardoned by Governor Jay Nixon.

Richard Owens was convicted of property damage and second-degree burglary for stealing a five-gallon water jug that was a quarter full of mixed change in 1993.

Following his probation Owens served in the Missouri Army National Guard, the Georgia Army National Guard and the United States Army, and was decorated for service in Germany and Iraq before receiving a medical discharge.

Owens was one of nine people pardoned Monday by Governor Nixon for non violent offenses.

REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT A NEW MADRID BURGLARY

New Madrid County authorities say a $5,000 reward is being offered for information about a recent burglary.

According to the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department, on December 8th multiple items were taken from a farm shop located near the New Madrid Elementary School including a 2013 Chevrolet four door white truck.

Anyone with information is asked to call 573-748-0669 or 573-380-5060. The reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the burglary and stealing.

MAN ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES IN SCOTT COUNTY

A man is facing drug charges following his arrest Sunday in Scott County.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, 56 year old Kevin Randolph McClendon has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy observed a plastic baggie containing a crystal like substance inside a container in McClendon’s possession. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

12 KILLED IN WRECKS OVER CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN MISSOURI

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says that 12 people were killed statewide in traffic crashes during the Christmas counting period.

The counting period this year ran from 6 pm Wednesday to 11:59 pm Sunday. During the period, the Highway Patrol investigated 284 traffic crashes. Two of the fatalities reported were in Southeast Missouri.

Troopers also arrested 66 people for driving while intoxicated during the counting period.

JUVENILE REPORTEDLY ATTEMPTS TO TRADE STOLEN HANDGUN FOR MARIJUANA

A juvenile has been taken into custody in Steele after allegedly attempting to trade a stolen handgun for marijuana.

Steele Police Chief Billy Joe Stanfield says that on December 22nd officers received information about a juvenile attempting to trade a handgun for marijuana. The gun was later seized and found to have been stolen from a home during a recent burglary.

The juvenile was taken into custody and turned over to Pemiscot County Juvenile Authorities.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING REPORT OF SHOTS FIRED IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

An investigation is ongoing into a report of shots being fired in Cape Girardeau.

According to authorities, the shots were fired into a home on Montgomery Street Sunday night. Some items in the house were damaged; however there were no reported injuries.

INSTALLATION OF GUARDRAIL SYSTEM SUSPENDED IN MISSOURI AND KANSAS

Missouri and Kansas transportation officials have suspended installations of a guardrail system over concerns about its safety.

Critics of the ET-Plus guardrail systems contend its design allows sections of metal to break off and run through vehicles that collide with the rails.

The system is manufactured by Trinity Industries in Dallas. The Kansas City Star reports a Trinity spokesman defended the guardrails and predicted new federally required crash tests underway in San Antonio will show the product is safe.

A recent study funded partly by Missouri found that ET-Plus is almost four times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than an earlier guardrail system.

Missouri suspended installations after survivors of a northwest Missouri man sued over an accident involving the ET-Plus system.

ONE MONTH LEFT TO APPLY FOR LOANS FOR DAMAGE FROM APRIL STORMS

Arkansas businesses that sustained economic damage following storms, tornadoes and flooding in April have one month left to apply for a federal disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Linda Nelson, director of the SBA's Arkansas office, says Jan. 29 is the deadline to apply for loans to compensate for economic injuries caused by severe weather on April 27.

Nelson says small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations may apply for loans of up to $2 million to meet capital needs caused by the disaster.

The loans are available in 20 Arkansas counties and two counties in Missouri. The interest rate is 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms of up to 30 years.